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People confuse the two because they work on the same engineering principles. The stability of the structures both depend heavily on the thickness of the barrel and the depth of the fill above it. But their physical/geographical characteristics and purpose cannot be more different from each other.
An arch bridge typically is a small width structure which usually does not cut through hills/under a town like a tunnel would do. There is also significant difference in their lengths and depth of fill above structure. A tunnel is longer in width and usually carries more fill above it, although I have seen arches that carry some significant dead load on top. An arch is built to accomodate traffic/pedestrian load to span over rivers/roads/etc. A tunnel is usually built to accomodate a railway line/traffic/pedestrian through a hill or under a town, generally because the direction of path is being obstructed by an obstacle or because it is not feasible to have the path at ground level.
So to answer your question, I really don't think an arch can actually become a tunnel at any point. The characteristics of both structures are too varied for them to become anything similar.
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∙ 14y ago
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How does a arch work?
An arch works by transfering the load on the central portion of the arch outward and downward into the columns which support it.
What does a Carnarvon arch look like?
An arch or lintel supported by corbels, or protrusions from a wall.
How long is the Cascade Tunnel in miles?
The present Cascade Tunnel is 7.79 miles long. The original Cascade Tunnel was 2.63 miles long.
What are the 9 basic fingerprint patterns?
Arch loop whirl tented arch ridge composite
Where is the Arch?
The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, The Gateway Arch, is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
The height of the arch going in to the tunnel?
You need to edit your question to be more specific about what arch and what tunnel.
Where is the arch on counterfeit island on poptropica?
in the tunnel. jump on the light cord to get a paper.
This arch-like structure extends into long open spaces to form a tunnel.?
vault
What is an extended arch called?
An extended arch is called a vault. Most tunnel are built using vaults. It's a bunch of arches put together.
Where is the picture piece in the tunnel?
in a dommed arch clim up the light bulb cord and jump to it
Why are tunnels round?
It is all about the arch. Throughout the history of building people figured out that an arch is the strongest form of support for a doorway or tunnel. The reason is that any weight on the arch is all directed to the middle so that the entire arch is helping to support the weight. If you have a straight line roof, weight at the center is supported only at the area that is in contact with the weight.
Syndrome occur when the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel are chronically overused and become inflamed and swollen?
carpal tunnel syndrome.
What do people do before they become cardinals?
They were Priests, Monsignors, Bishops, and Arch-Bishops
Where in the underground tunnel is the piece of the picture on counerfeit island on poptropica?
there is a light bulb hanging down with an arch in the background climb on it to the top and swing to the other vine and you will see it.
How does a natural arch change into a stack?
the sea erodes the stack to such a point until the wasn't enough suport and the roof colapsed making the arch become a stack.
What syndrome occurs when that tendons of the wrist become inflammed and swollen?
Carpal Tunnel
What part of the body does fallen arches have to do with?
Fallen arches refers to your feet. Normally your foot has an arch to it but if you have a fallen arch that means the ligaments have become lax and your foot becomes flatter.
